Creating a Calm Corner

When I taught mindfulness and yoga to 4th graders, I taught formal and informal practices that they could use in their life inside and outside of the classroom. I took a proactive approach to teach them strategies they could use by making mindfulness a lifestyle in our classroom. It wasn’t a lesson I taught during a heated argument with a friend or when my class was having a tough day - it was a part of our every day. This is the same approach I’m taking with my own children. In my classroom, our Zen Den, or calm space was my priority each school year. I wanted to create a space that my students could go when they needed a "time in" to sit alone and tune out the noise. Now, as a mother, I couldn't wait to do the same in my home.

Honestly, my toddler teaches ME more about being present every day - she doesn’t need to be taught that. Children an innately present. It’s life and experiences that clog our perception and cause anxiety, pulling us from the moment. What children aren’t born with is a developed prefrontal cortex which is responsible for regulating our thoughts, actions, and emotions.

So while it’s my goal to teach her strategies to help cope with and manage big feelings, during these early years the best way to teach mindfulness is to practice it myself and with her. Modeling what it looks like to breathe through frustration, to talk about my feelings, and to move my body to keep my energy flowing. Teaching mindfulness to another always starts with practicing it yourself.

My daughter just turned one last month and while she is still too young for many of the formal practices I'll teach her down the road, she is definitely old enough for her very own Calm Corner. I created one for her last week and I'm so excited to share the details with you so that you can bring this into your own home. Her Calm Corner will grow and change as she does and I'll be rotating and swapping out the materials that are currently there. What I'm sharing in this post is how I set up a Calm Corner for a 12-24 month old.

Let me begin with this - keep it simple. You definitely don't want to overdo it or have the space be crowded. My priority in creating this space was to have a spot where her and I could read, breathe, and practice yoga. Could we do all this in her room? Of course, but by dedicating a corner to it, I'm providing her with a space where she can prioritize "time in" with herself for years to come.

To get started, throw a blanket/rug down and some type of chair, cushion, or pillow. I used her old tummy time mat and a child-sized fuzzy chair she was gifted for her first birthday. I also hung string lights (and highly recommend this) because with the shades closed and overhead lights out, these lights create the perfect ambiance to reduce stimulation and cultivate calm.

Next, I grabbed some of my favorite toddler-friendly books and placed them in a basket. These are books that I will read with her, but also books that she can learn mindfulness in the illustrations as well. Here's a list of the books I recommend for this age group.

On the wall, I kept it simple with a few mindfulness posters.

These posters can be found in my shop. Click the imagine below to purchase.

The main resource I created for her is my ABC Decks. This includes ABCs of breathing, ABCs of yoga, and ABC Affirmations. Each deck is hung on this wooden hook rack at her eye level. She is too young to practice them on her own, but she is the perfect age to practice with me. Together, we can read (and soon recite) affirmations, practice yoga poses, and even do breathing practices. At this age toddlers are a sponge; I don't want to miss opportunities to show her how to practice mindfulness and especially to model how I practice it myself.

You can purchase this bundle by clicking on the image below.

The last addition to her Calm Corner is her Meddy Teddy Yogi Bear, her mini meditation cushion I found at the Target Dollar Spot, and a glitter "Mind Jar." Learn all about what a Mind Jar is in my Instagram post by clicking the image below!

I'll wrap up this post by first, sharing the final product. Second, with a quote that inspired me from day one in my classroom. This quote is why I am passionate about mindfulness for our children.

“If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.”

-Dalai Lama

Click the image to watch me create my Calm Corner! What would you add?